Disabled woman's dog put in quarantine

2012-06-20 09:12

Cape Town - A disabled woman reacted with anger and frustration when officials at Cape Town International Airport took away her service dog, saying he needed to have certain tests done.

The Cape Times reported that Janice Salthouse, 59, came back from a holiday to the Netherlands when her dog Denver was taken from her - leaving her unable to walk and having to call a friend for help as she had no family in Cape Town.

Salthouse had polio as a child and needs Denver for balance.

The dog was taken to a quarantine station for a week.

Salthouse said she had made all the necessary arrangements for the dog before her trip and that it seemed local officials were not clear themselves on what documentation was needed.

She was told to have certain tests done in the Netherlands prior to her departure but when she contacted Dutch authorities, no-one knew about the tests or the diseases so she was unable to have them done.

In response, the Department of Agriculture said it the tests were required by the World Organisation for Animal Health.